PBS president Maximus Ongkili (right) with party leaders on April 22, when they announced their decision to contest in Sandakan.

KOTA KINABALU: The United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), which once ruled the state, has thrown its support behind PBS in the upcoming by-election for the Sandakan parliamentary seat.

Its information chief Musli Oli said this means that Usno will not contest the seat.

“The party will give its full backing to PBS and will send a team comprising our top-ranking leaders to help in the campaigning period,” he said in a statement today.

Aside from Usno, PBS has also received support from opposition parties including Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku which retracted its candidate to give way to PBS.

Musli Oli.

Musli said the decision not to contest was also because Usno’s Supreme Council members felt it was necessary to focus on shoring up its administration first.

This includes setting up divisions across Sabah.

“To achieve this target, Usno has planned various programmes such as showcasing the struggles of the party to the people in June,” he said, adding that this would be part of its membership drive.

“This will give the public space to know about Usno’s role, not only in the formation of Malaysia, but also in laying the basic platform that enabled Sabah to achieve the progress it has now,” he said.